Peters



(No Model.) 3 sheets-shet 1.

J. METZGER.

FIRE ESGAPE.

No. 289,119. Patented Nov. 27-, 1883.

I WITNESSES:

ATTORNEYS (No Modem 3 Sheets Sheet 2.

J. METZGER.

' FIRE ESCAPE.

Patented Nov. 27, 1883.

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(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

j J. METZGER.

FIRE ESCAPE.

Patented Nov. 27

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

N. FETiRS. PMWLMDWPMP. Wampum D. C.

a John nnrzcnn, on

NEW roan, N. Y.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 289,119, dated November 27, 1883. Application filed Mny24.1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN Mnrzenmoi' the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combined Fire-Escape and Water-Tower, of which the following is a specification.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 rep resents a side elevation of my improved combined fire-escape and water-tower shown ready for transportation. Fig. 2 is a plan; Fig. 3, an end elevation shown with standards in vertical position; Fig. 4, a side elevation, showing the supporting-standards in vertical and extended position. Fig. 5 is a detail side view; Fig. 6, a detail vertical central section; and Fig. 7, a horizontal section on line a; r, Fig. 6, of one of the telescoping standards.

Similar letters of reference indicate corrcsponding parts. 7

Referring to the drawings, Arepresents asupporting-platform of suitable size and strength, which is supported on wheels provided with springs, a fifth-wheel, shaft, and other accesseries.

On theplatform A are supported short vcr tical supports a. a, to which are pivoted the lower sections of four telescoping standards or columns, B B. The standards or columns B are swung by suitable hoisting mechanism on the said pivots into inclined position, as shown in Fig. 1, or into vertical position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. p

' The platform A is provided with recesses I) b for the standards, through which they extend below the platform when the standards are moved into vertical position. The standards B B are raised or lowered, either in pairs or all together, by a hoisting mechanism, 0, of suitable construction, which is operated by two transverse crank-shafts worked by four men-two for each crank-shaft. The drums (Z d of the hoisting mechanism 0 wind up, when being turned in one or the opposite direction, ropes G, that are attached at one end to the lower sections of the standards B B, then passed around the drum and over a number of guide-pulleys, (1 cl, located below the platform, and on upright standards 0", to the opposite side of the lower sections of the standards B B, shown clearly in Fig. 1. By turning the drums d cl in one or the opposite direction, the standards B B are either raised or lowered, as required. hen they are raised into vertical position, the telescoping sections of each standard B are extended to-their full length by a second hoisting mechanism, D D, which is worked together by crank-shafts e e and an intermediate connecting-gearing and shaft, 9', as shown in plan in Fig. 2. For this purpose the hoisting-ropef of the second section, B of the telescoping standards B B passes from the drum 8 over a pulley, f, at the upper end of the lower section, B, and then in the space between the first and second sections to a fixed collar, f, at the lower end of the second section, 13*. A second rope, f", is attached to a ring, f f. of the first section, B, passed over a pulley, f, at the upper end of the second section, B, and over the same down in the space between the second and third sections to a collar, f, at the lower end of the third section, B. A third rope, f extends from a fixed ring, f of the second section, B", over apulley, f", at the upper end of the third section, B, then downward through the space between the third and fourth sections to a fixed tion, B", as shown clearly in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, and so on, if more sections are used. By winding up therope fof the second section, B, all the remaining sections aresimultaneously raised by their rope-and-pulley connections described,

full length. Properly-tested wire ropes are preferably used for this purpose. The sections B B B are further provided at their up per ends with interior collars or stop-shoulders, g g, that are recessed at those points where the hoisting-ropes f, f", downward into the sections, as described. hen the sections B B" B* are extended to the full length, the collars at their lower ends abut againstthe stop-shoulders of the sections B 13 13 In this manner the sections are guided one within the other and move easily without too great friction between them. The lower sections, B B are connected, for the purpose of increased strength and solidity, by longitudinal and transverse brace-rods E, of which the longitudinal brace-rods are pivoted to the sides of the lower two sections, while the transverse rods are rigidly secured thereto. The

and thereby the standards B extended to their and f pass I collar, f atthe lower part of the fourth sec- ICO upper ends of the third sections, B, of the standardsB B are connected by a hose-platform, F, and the upper ends of the fourth sections, B, by an escape-platform, F, which platforms are pivoted by transverse shafts h h, turning in bearings of fixed sleeves h h intermediately between the front and rear standards.

The platforms F F are strengthened by brace-rods and provided with guard-railings.

The lower platform is arranged with one or' ranged to slide alongside of each other when Y scend and the standards are extended or telescoped, so that the firemen can readily ascend or depersons in burning buildings can make their escape. The uppermost platform may be provided with extension-bridges and other appliances, by which it may be connected to the windows or roofs of buildings. The escape-platform F may also be used by the firemen, so that they can get as near to the fire as possible and throw streams of water upon the same with greater effect.

WVhen the apparatus is 'to be returned into its lowered position after use, the drums e are slowly turnedin opposite directions, so as to unwind the hoisting-ropes therefrom, and permit thereby the telescoping of the supporting standards BB by their own gravity. The

drums d d are next turned in opposite difections and the telescoping standards B B moved over into an inclined position, so as to be supported by the forked upper ends of the fixed uprights A of the platform A.

The advantages of my improved fire-escape and water-tower are, first, that the apparatus is quickly raised and extended when arriving at the point of use; second, that it requires no packing or tightening of the telescoping sections; third, that the firemen can be brought close to the source of fire, even in buildings of great height; fourth, that it provides a ready means of escape for persons in danger in burn-. ing buildings of great height.

Having thus described my invention, I claim. as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent The combination of a recessed wheeled platform, telescoping standards the lower sect-ions of which are pivoted to said platform, a plat: form or platforms hinged to said telescoping standards, fixed uprights or rests on said platform, adapted to hold said telescoping standards in inclined position, means for raising said telescoping standards into upright position, and means for extending and telescoping said standards, substantially as described.

I11 testimony that I claim the foregoing as, my invention I have signed my name in pres;v ence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN METZGER.

\Vitnesses:

CARL KARP, SIDNEY MANN. 

